Day 4: Latest Update On Central Hudson Power Restoration In Orange County

A roof was torn off of a structure on Liberty Street between Washington Street and Grand Avenue in the City of Newburgh. The debris tore down power lines and knocked down a tree during storms on Tuesday, May 15.
Photo Credit: Central Hudson

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Nearly 85 percent of the 74,000 customers of Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation impacted by Tuesday’s damaging storm have had power restored, following a restoration effort to clear trees, open roadways and repair the electric system.

As of 7 a.m., approximately 4,400 customers remain without electric service in Dutchess County, 7,700 in Orange County, 530 in Putnam County and 200 in Ulster County. Power has been restored to about 61,000 customers impacted by the storm.

Central Hudson assembled a workforce of more than 1,000, including nearly 470 electric line workers, approximately 180 tree trimmers and a support staff of hundreds more, that will continue to repair damage and restore electric service.

Crews have so far identified 191 broken poles, and more than 223 cases of downed wires remain. As crews are working to restore electric service, additional damage locations continue to be uncovered, hampering restoration efforts.

The National Weather Service recently reported that the tornado which had impacted Newburgh actually touched down in the Balmville, where extremely challenging conditions exist and damage to the bulk electric system there that feed service to the City of Newburgh was largely destroyed. Much of that repair work is nearly completed.

Tornadoes had also touched down in Saugerties and Putnam County, and a macroburst was reported to have caused extensive damage in southern Dutchess County.

“We are in the most difficult phase of the restoration, as we continue to encounter significant damage from this destructive storm,” said Charles A. Freni, Senior Vice President of Customer Services and Transmission & Distribution. “We are working methodically through the damage, however at this stage of the recovery each repair will restore power to fewer and fewer customers as we work through neighborhoods and even individual homes. But, know we are committed to restoring electric service to all our customers as quickly and safely as possible.”

Central Hudson anticipates power to be restored to the vast majority of customers by tonight; however some work is expected to continue within isolated pockets of the hardest-hit areas through the weekend.

“We remain indebted to our emergency response partners who tirelessly work by our side to repair damage, clear roads and restore critical services,” said Freni. “Our thanks once again goes to the municipal and county highway departments, local and state law enforcement, fire and rescue organizations, emergency management offices, telephone and cable television crews and elected leaders who continue to perform this important work, around the clock.

“We’re also especially thankful for support, patience and understanding of our customers, as we work to restore electric service,” he said.

Estimated restoration times by municipality have been established and are available on Central Hudson’s StormCentral outage map at https://stormcentral.cenhud.com/. Individual cases will be posted as the information becomes available. Customers should be aware that that these estimates will sometimes change as crews continue to uncover additional damage while repairs are made.

Homeowners whose electric service lines were separated from their homes are advised to seek guidance from a professional electrical contractor, as repairs to homes may be required before Central Hudson can re-attach the line.

Central Hudson is distributing dry ice and bottled water today at the following locations, beginning at the noted times: